-1-

Garbriel is dead.

 

My footsteps were empty echoes with each long stride I took down the expansive marble hallway. I was glad there was no one in the halls wanting to stop and have a chat with me. I couldn’t be stopped right now.

 I was on a mission.

It was just a feeling, a hunch that I could not shake. An intense feeling of loss and  anguish.

I held up the hem of my skirt to quickly descended the cascade of marble steps. I made my way through the large double doors at the end of the hall, down the hallway, took a quick right  and entered the interior of the  salon.

 Mother and father were sitting among company I did not recognize. One man looked at me briefly before continuing to finish whatever he was saying in a hushed tone. There was a silence as I  stepped further into the middle of the  room.

“Dear-,” Mother began.

“Gabriel has been killed,” I cut her off.

It came out as a question and a statement but, the look on her face confirmed all my suspicions were true.  He was dead.

 I turned my back and tore out of the salon running quickly back the way I had come. I went back up the stairs as quickly as the slippery heels would allow. Once I was at the top of the staircase I slowed down .

It only took me a few minutes to catch my breath.  Leaning against the banister, I  took some extra deep breaths and coached myself to stop being so emotional before continuing down the hall.

 Seraphim, my  young neophyte and maidservant was waiting  quietly for me at the other end of the hallway. She followed after as I went back into my suite. I wandered into my bedroom and  sat on the bed just staring at the floor. I was not sure what to do  next.

I imagined it must have alarmed Seraphim when I stopped in the middle of our conversation and walked out the door saying Gabriel’s name.  Then again moments like this were becoming common. 

“Is Gabriel . . . okay ?,” she finally asked.

She sat next to me on the bed.

“No.” I said. “No he isn’t.”

She was silent for a while.

“It is so strange that you just  knew like that,” she said.

“Gabriel was my brother. He was like my other half.  I guess we have a strong connection or something.”

“Like you and I ?,” Seraphim asked.

I nodded my head.

From the moment  I first laid eyes on her , I felt an intense compatibility between Seraphim and I.

“You will have good memories of him," she said, " The last thing he told you before he left was that he loved you.  I heard it. That is wonderful.”

“I know.” I said.

“Do you want to talk about him ?,”

I shook my head but, my lips betrayed me.

“Yes,” I said ,”But, first we must get back to our tea.”

She got up before I could and poured herself  a cup of tea from the pink china set and mine from the blue china set.

She handed me my teacup.

“I’m not really in the mood.” I said

“But, you wanted tea--,”

“I just wanted a distraction but, you have to drink yours. Go ahead”

She was hesitant but,  took a big sip before putting both of her  thin arms around me and letting me cry softly into her shoulder.  

 

Eden will been shaken. One of our own is dead.

 

Seraphim and I were having a role reversal. I was supposed to be her mentor, I was supposed to be there for her not her there for me.

“If I may ask . . .how can he be dead ?,” she asked,” You mean even in a place like Eden, a person can die ?”

“ He can be killed. It happens occasionally. However, there is very little that can be done to kill an Angel. If there is a death it is almost always intentional. Be mindful that this is not exactly  proper conversation.”

“And the dead can never come back ?,”

“No. He cannot come back,” I answered.

Seraphim seemed to be taking in my response and she began to cry, large tears streaked down her face.

I wondered if there was a hidden message in my last conversation with Gabriel. His departure from the palace had been so sudden and unexplained.

***

It  was a month since my brother and I last saw each other. I had been walking around the halls early in the morning in just a nightgown and petticoats. It was so early, I didn’t even bother to put shoes on.

I had woken up in the middle of the night and just could not go back to bed. I was having the same reoccurring nightmare that prevented me from sleeping. 

In the dream I was being running away from something terrible that I couldn’t put my finger on. Towards the end of the dream I would walk towards a mass of smoke and I just  knew I was being saved. The smoke was forming some kind of face but, the face of my savior never fully materialized before I woke up in a cold sweat.

I awoke from the dream shaking  and unable to return to sleep. I started walking to tire myself out. I was done with my laps and about to head back to my room when I saw Gabriel’s suite door was ajar.

I peeked inside, to see what he was up to so early in the morning. I saw Gabriel in his mirror, fitting a chest plate over  his white  undershirt.

“What are you doing ?,” I asked looking at the piece of armor. At this point I was more amused than anything. Who wears armor ?

He sat the armor down.

“I was just going to wake you,” He said quietly.

Gabriel ran his hand nervously through his light red hair.

“There was a council meeting last night. Something very bad is going on. I have to take care of something.”

“With armor ?,” I asked,” What exactly is going on ?”

He bit his lip as he began to button up his white shirt.

“I can’t say and I have said too much already. Don’t tell anyone you saw me with that armor. It is very important.”

I nodded my head in understanding but, that wasn’t the end of my questions. If there was an emergency council meeting why hadn’t I been included ?  I had never been kept out of the loop of council  issues.

We walked to the dining room to have an early breakfast together.  The cooking staff wasn’t awake yet so, Gabriel made us some toast while I continued to try and get answers about what he was doing.

 He simply changed the subject.

“How is um, Phim ? he asked

“Seraphim.” I corrected

“Oh, well that’s a funny name--,”

“It is not funny. I thought it was very pretty. Anyway Seraphim is wonderful, she will be up soon.”

“Tell her I am going and that I said good bye,” he told me

“You won’t be here in a few minutes to tell her yourself ? ,”

“No.” he said shaking his head,” In fact, I am already late.”

He stood up kissed my forehead and headed for the outside.

“How long will you be gone ? ” I asked

“Not long.” he smiled,” I love you, Rin.”

His comment left me speechless.

It was an awfully sentimental thing for him to say but, I didn’t think that at the time. I just sat at the table and watched him walk away. If I had been dressed I would have followed after but, I didn’t. I watched him walk out on his way to his untimely death.

 

***

-2-

After a day of personal family mourning, we made the tearful announcement of Gabriel’s death to the public.  

I decided to hold a memorial service at the palace for anyone to come and pay their respects properly. It became my own personal project. I commissioned a sculpture of Gabriel based on a recent photograph. It was the first sculpture for the palace and it would be outdoors in the East Gardens by the fountains.  

It took an artistic team  2 weeks to work on the relief and I spent that time getting out invitations, making menus and arranging suites for all the guests. It is unlike me to worry about such petty things but, I had to throw myself into the event for Gabriel 

After the weeks of planning the day was finally here.

 “Stop !,” I snapped  and snatched the  silver hairbrush from Seraphim’s hands.

The bristles had snagged a knot my hair and pulled the root. It hurt but, I hadn’t meant to shout.

“I’m sorry,” I said handing the brush back to her.

She very carefully brushed the last section of my hair and wrapped it around the  hot iron. She pinned my long black curl carefully on the top of my head with the others. The finished look was an elegant bun made out of piles of curls.

“It’s so pretty,” Seraphim cooed touching up the edges and spraying my hair with lavender oil to keep it shiny.

Her own sandy brown hair was hanging straight and wispy by her ears.

 I grimaced a little at my reflection.

It was too perfect, I looked like a doll with all the makeup caked on my face. I did not look like I was going to a memorial service , but to a beauty contest.  If for some reason I did start crying the eye makeup would no doubt stain my face.

Still, I had no choice.

I smoothed over the high ruffle neck of my black dress and adjusted the layers of pleated skirt and underskirt before  standing  up.

“Let’s go look at the service space before the guests arrive,” I said

Seraphim and I walked down to the main hall together and out towards  the East Gardens—the location of the memorial service. I could hear the reception still going on in the petit ballroom. The reception would last for another hour or so more and then we would start the memorial service.

 The statue was sitting in its place but, it was covered—waiting for the unveiling.  I looked out at the rows of golden chairs and the white elevated platform where people will give their eulogies.

“It’s looks so good. He would love it.” Seraphim said.

“No, it doesn’t,” I said,” It needs some flowers. For decoration.”

“Like lilies ?,” Seraphim suggested, “Gabriel liked those. Should I call on someone to bring someone ?”

“No.” I said,” There is a lily field in the very back of the garden.  We aren’t doing anything, let’s go get them really quick.”

I had never been to the lily fields but, I knew the relative way to get there. We walked for a few minutes into the woods and I fell uncertain until I saw the pure white flowers in the distance. There were thousands just growing from the ground in a clearing of the woods.

“Come on,” I said to Seraphim  as I bent down and pulled a flower from the earth,” We need at least a hundred. I want one on every chair.”

Seraphim quickly joined me  in picking the flowers but, after a while she paused.

“You are getting dirty !,” Seraphim exclaimed.

I noticed the brim of my dress rubbed the dirt each time I bent down to pick up a flower.

“I don’t care,” I told her.

When I finally had 50 flowers bundled in my arms I looked up to see I had lost track of Seraphim.

“Seraphim !,” I called ,”Seraphim !”

 I heard someone moving in the woods and I ran towards the noise to see Seraphim . She was leaning over  a large pond of water that was bubbling over.

“What is this ?,” she asked quizzically.

I inspected the small lake.  Along with the bubbles the lake had steam coming from it.

“It’s just a natural spring,” I told her, “ Feel it, it is warm,”

I put my hand in the water and she placed hers beside mine. It was warm to the touch and the bubbles felt almost therapeutic.

I undid the laces on my black shoes, pulled off my socks and placed my bare feet into the spring.

I was still feeling bold.

“Undo the ribbons,” I said turning my back to Seraphim.

Seraphim undid the intricate black satin ribbon securing  my dress  bodice and I slipped out of the dress.  With just the white corset and bloomers on I slipped in to the water.

She stared at me horrified.

“Come in ! You have to, it's wonderful !,” I shouted.

She shyly took her own dress off  and got into the water with me.

“It feels really good,” she giggled as the water bubbled under her arms.

“It does,” I agreed.

We floated in the water saying nothing, finding the warmest spots and then the bubbliest spots.

“You haven’t smiled like this in a while,” she noted

I didn’t have an answer.  I held my breath and went under the water  for a second before coming back up.

“Rin!,” Seraphim exclaimed.

“What ?,” I said wiping water from my eyes.

“The ceremony is in an hour. Your hair is all messed up  now.” She said

“Who will get mad at me ?,” I challenged,” You are just upset because you can’t go underwater.”

“Yes, I can.” She said

She held her breath and went under. After an impressive 90 seconds she came back up.

“I am an excellent swimmer. I was on a swim team.” She said splashing me.

“Seraphim, did you have your tea, today  ?,” I asked as I fought off her splashes.

“Yes.” She said,” Why ?,”

“Well, you shouldn’t   swim after eating or drinking,” I warned and then went back underneath the water.

Our contest went on for a while and Seraphim was pretty good at holding her breath under water.

For the final round we went down together. Her pale freckled face looked so funny underwater. When I laughed a line of bubbles escaped my mouth.  I reached for her hand but, she came up before I could touch it.  I heard her yelp and she grabbed my arm forcing me up out of the water.

-3-

I surfaced, wiping the running kohl from my eyes. I was about to tease her for coming up so soon when I  looked up to see a man just inches from us holding one of our lilies. His face was ominous, he had dark hair, red eyes  and a  hollow expression. Seraphim held close to me and I let her get behind me.

  The man carried an unsheathed rapier in his right hand. The tip was facing the ground so, I felt no immediate danger. Still, a sword  is a strange thing to just be carrying around and he gave me a bad feeling.

“Afternoon, sir.” I greeted him.

His eyes seemed to be  transfixed on me. I looked down to make sure my corset wan't see through. It wasn’t but, I quickly pulled it up a little higher, a pink flush coming over my skin.

“Afternoon,” he finally  said.  “ I’m sorry. I heard the water and I—well, I had no idea anyone was  . . . swimming,”

“Yes well, if you don’t mind please leave--,”

“Aren’t you Corrine de Tuileries ?,” he interrupted, “ I’ve been sent  here to attend your brother’s--,”

“Yes, well, we will see you inside . Now really isn’t time as you can see. Please leave.”

He stood motionless staring  for  a few minutes. I wondered what I would have  to  do to defend Seraphim and I if I had to . After too long he finally turned and left us.

“We are fine,” I assured Seraphim taking her arms away from my waist.

“Who do you think that was ?,” She asked.

“Not really a that. He is a prince of darkness,” I informed her

“Oh,” she said, like she had heard the term before even though I am most certain she hadn’t 

“His back . . .," she began and I knew this was coming. "Why did he have those . . . wings ?,”

“Well, every Demon will.” I said.

The dark appendages springing out of the back of his black suit were a dead giveaway of what he was.  A bit of intimidation and arrogance they like to use. Now, which prince he was I wasn’t entirely sure.

I got out of the water and Seraphim took our dresses as we headed back to the palace. We snuck in through the back passages to get to my bedroom. After changing into  dry undergarments we headed to catch the end of the reception.

During the memorial service, I sat in the front  and no one bothered to ask why  I had damp hair or why my dress was dirty.  The turnout was amazing, everyone invited came and those who spoke had kind words. I heard whispers of some wondering what killed him but, no one had an answer. The statue was unveiled and it was more than I could ask for.

It was made of marble and completely white, it depicted Gabriel as I remembered him; A book  in hand an youthful  expression somewhere between mysterious and humorous.  The statue was not on a platform yet so, when someone stood next to it, it was as if they were standing next to a very large Gabriel.

***

When the ceremony ended I stayed behind in the now empty garden, just staring at the statue.

“It’s so beautiful,” Seraphim said.

She ran her hands in between the engraved letters at the bottom that spelled his name.

“Yes.” I agreed.

“It looks just like him . . . like his soul is trapped inside.”

“Well don’t tip it over,” a jovial voice joked from behind us.

I turned to see my father walking towards us.  He hugged me and then  Seraphim.

“Seraphim, you should  go save a seat for Rin inside. Lunch is about to start.” He said.

“Oh Yes, Father.” She said and walked off.

Once father and I were alone I felt a change in his demeanor.

“I imagine you have been asking questions about Gabriel’s death," he said.

His tone was all business.

“I have a right to know.”

“I agree.”

“So, you will tell me ? ”

“It is an extremely delicate council matter,” he sighed, “ After lunch—while the guests are busy with your mother come  meet me in the council room. We can have a closed meeting.”

“And--,”

“And I will tell you  the truth. And everything you want to know.”